Launch Master - Rakiura, Wild Kiwi Experience

RealNZ; Southland; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 96,000; Part time

Job summary

RealNZ is seeking a Launch Master to join our team on Rakiura/Stewart Island, evenings, part-time, for the summer season. You’ll operate the Wild Kiwi experience, skippering the Foveaux and Southern Express as guests depart to one of New Zealand's most unique wildlife encounters.

This role emphasizes safety and guest experience: safe vessel operation, supporting crew, sharing engaging commentary about wildlife, history, and the environment, and delivering memorable journeys.

Qualifications

• SRL endorsement under 24m is required.
• Passenger Endorsement is required.
• Strong people and communication skills are essential.
• A safety-first mindset and the ability to take ownership when it matters.

Responsibilities

• Safely operating vessels and maintaining responsibility for crew and passengers.
• Delivering outstanding guest experiences from departure through to farewell.
• Sharing engaging commentary about the local wildlife, history and natural environment.
• Supporting crew, maintaining high operational standards, and ensuring compliance with maritime and safety requirements.
• Helping showcase one of New Zealand's most remarkable conservation experiences.

Skills

People skills

Communication

Safety minded

Passion for conservation

Tools

SRL endorsement under 24m

Passenger Endorsement

Job description

We're looking for a Launch Master to join our team in Rakiura/Stewart Island, operating our Rakiura Wild Kiwi experience on a part-time, evening-only basis. This role is specifically focused on supporting the Wild Kiwi product, skippering the Foveaux and Southern Express as guests head out to experience one of New Zealand's most unique wildlife encounters.

This is more than just a skippering role. You'll be responsible for the safe operation of the vessel, crew and passengers while also playing a key part in creating an exceptional guest experience. Whether you're sharing stories about the local environment, welcoming guests onboard, or ensuring a smooth journey across Paterson Inlet, you'll help deliver an experience guests will never forget.

This is a fixed-term position, starting in October for the summer season and finishing at the end of April.

What You'll Be Doing

• Safely operating vessels and maintaining responsibility for crew and passengers.
• Delivering outstanding guest experiences from departure through to farewell.
• Sharing engaging commentary about the local wildlife, history and natural environment.
• Supporting crew, maintaining high operational standards, and ensuring compliance with maritime and safety requirements.
• Helping showcase one of New Zealand's most remarkable conservation experiences.

What You'll Bring

• SRL endorsed under 24m
• Passenger Endorsement.
• Strong people and communication skills.
• A genuine passion for delivering memorable experiences.
• A safety-first mindset and the confidence to take ownership when it matters.

Why join us?

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking for flexible evening work, a connection to conservation tourism, and the chance to spend their shifts on the water in one of New Zealand's most spectacular locations.

If you love the ocean, enjoy meeting people from around the world, and want to be part of an experience that leaves a lasting impression, we'd love to hear from you.

Real People, Real Places, Real Experiences. Welcome To Real.

When's the best time to join the Real whānau? Now's good.

We're the conservation business that's enabled by tourism. We're helping the world, one guest at a time, fall in love with conservation. We're inspiring people to leave their places in better conditions than when they found them. We channel a guest-centric approach that fuels our genuine promise to deliver Aotearoa's most unforgettable experiences.

It's our workplace environment that makes careers at RealNZ more exciting than the regular job. Working for Real could mean you're based anywhere between a secluded island, a scenic fiord, and a snow-capped maunga. Our people, places, and workdays are a great and diverse mixture. It keeps us on our toes and adds value and passion to our work.

At RealNZ, we're committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Guided by our values of Pono (Keep it real) and He waka eke noa (We're all in this together), we embrace and celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences that make our team stronger. Everyone is welcome here.